Combined trailer hitch and bumper guard



@in 1l@ H9@ 1 MQRAST COMBINED TRAILER HITCH AND BUMPER GUARD 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June ,13, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 L J MORAST COMBINED TRAILER HITCH AND BUMPER GUARD Oct. 10, 1950 Flled June l5 1945 atentecl Oct. 10, 1950 COMBINED TRAILER BITCH AND BUMPER` y GUARD Lynn J Morast, Minneapolis, Minn.

Application June 13,` 1945, Serial No. 599,242

2 Claims. (Cl. BSU-33.44)

This invention relates to motor vehicle accessories and more particularly to devices which are adapted for use as weight supporting drawbar p connections and which can be converted into upwardly and will extend `rearwardly and wherein itis supported in such rearwardly extending position in a manner which will support considerable weight that it constitutes an eifective drawbar connection, trailer hitch and the like.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein `like reference characters refer to the same` parts throughout the views, and, in which:

Figure 1 is a rear elevational view of the embodiment of the invention showing a portion of a vehicle bumper;

Figure 2 is a top plan view taken approximately on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 andshowing a portion of the device in an alternate position;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional View taken approximately on the line 3 3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a rear elevational view of another embodiment of the invention showing a portion of a vehicle bumper and also showing a portion of the device in section;

Figure 5 is a top` view of the device showing an alternate position thereof in dotted lines;

Figure 6 is an end elevation of the device of Figure 4;

Figure '7 is a vertical sectional view taken ape proximately onthe line 1-1 of Figure 4 and showing an alternate position of the device in dotted lines; and I Figure 8 is an enlarged `fragmentary sectional view taken approximately on the line 8--8 of Figurel. M- n ff In Figures 1 through-3- there is shown a portion of al motor vehicle `bumper I0. A pair of vertical plates I I lie on the outer or rear side of the bumper I Il. Extending forwardly through the plates II are bolts I2 which extend through clamping plates I3 at the inner or forward side of the bumper IB 1n spaced relation as best shown Figure 3.. It is preferred that the plates I I be equipped with lugs I4 shown in Figure 3 which facilitate the clamping of said plates II with diiferent types and shapes of motor vehicle bumpers.

Welded or otherwise suitably secured to the lower portion of the vertical plates I I are vertical members I5. The upper ends of the members I5 are pivotally connected by pintles I5 to members I'I which in their .vertical positions form substantial continuations of the lower vertical members I5. Said lower members I5 are connected by a bar I8 and the upper members I'I are connected by a bar I9 having a central aperture 2i) adapted to receive a trailer hitch pin or bolt as shown in dotted lines in Figures 2 and 3.

As best shown in Figure 3, the upper pivoted members I'I are held in a vertical position by means of U-shaped fasteners 2| which are pivotally connected to the members I'I as at 22 and which are adapted toswing over the upper ends of the vertical plates II which extend a considerable distance above the pintles I6 which connect the members I5 and Il'. When the fasteners 2l are swung upwardly above the ends of the vertical plates II the members Il and their upper connecting bar I9 can be swung rearwardly and downwardly.

Pivotally connected to each of the hinged members I'I is a brace 23. The lower portion of each brace 23 is provided with a generally vertical slot 24, the upper end of which is offset as at 25. Bolts 26 extend through the slots 24 and are mounted in the lower vertical members I5. The relative positions of the parts are such that when the upper hinged members I'I are swung to their vertical full line positions shown in Figure 3, the bolts 26 will lie approximately at the bottoms of the slots 24 in the braces 23, and when the upper hinged members Il and their connecting cross member I9 are swung rearwardly and downwardly to the dotted line position of Figure 3 the bolts 26 will rest in the offset portions 25 of said slots 24.

When the device is in the full line positions of Figures 1` and 3 it serves as what is commonly termed a bumper guard;` Portions of its structure extend above and below the bumper II] and for that reason prevent the bumpers of other` vehicles from riding over or under the bumper I0, a condition which frequently occurs when motor vehicles are being parked at the curb and in other parking areas. When the upper portion comprising the members Il and their connecting bar I9 are swung downwardly to the dotted line positions of Figures 2 and 3 and supported by the braces 23, the device serves as a trailer hitch unit. It is possible to connect a trailer to the cross bar i9 to provide a sturdy and efficient trailer hitch unit. By reason of the support given by the braces 23 it is possible to connect a two wheeled trailer because the cross bar i9 is adequately supported and con stitutes a weight bearing member.

The embodiment shown in Figures 4 through 8 is constructed along the same general principles as that of Figures 1 through 3 with some modications in detail.

In Figures 4 through 7 there is shown a vehicle bumper 27. There is also shown a pair of vertical members 28 which have relatively thin upper portions 28a. Vertically spaced bolts 29 and 3l] extend respectively from the members 28 and" their upper extensions 23a, and said boltsextend through clamping plates 3l similar to the clamping plates i3 shown in the first described embodiment. l

YUpper vertical members 32 are connected to the upper ends of the thicker lower portions 23 of the lower vertical members by means of pintles 33, said upper members 32 extending above the upward extensions 23a of said lower vertical members. Substantially U-shaped fastening elements 3B are shown in Figure 7 pivotally connected to the upper vertical members 32 and they are so positioned that they can be swung downwardly over the upper ends of said extensions 28a of the lower vertical members 29. The fastening elements all have the ends of their side portions pon sitioned in countersunk cut-outs 35 in the sides of the upper vertical members 32 so that said fastening members 36E. are within the lateral connes of said members 32.

The lower vertical members 28 are connected at their lower ends by a cross bar Sii and the upper vertical members 32 are connected by spaced cross bars 3l' and 3S. Extending between said bars 37 and 38 at their medial portions is a trailer connector plate 39 having a hitch pin aperture 53.

Lying about the sides and rear faces of the vertical meinbers 28 and 32 are braces il which more or less encase said vertical members 23 and l 32. Said braces 4l pivotally receive the end portions of the upper cross bar 3l' and notches Li2 are adapted to receive the cross bar 33 which lies closely beneath the upper cross bar 3l'. The lower side portions of the braces il are provided with slots 43 having upper oiset portions d4. The lower cross bar 35 extends through the slots 43. The connection of the braces ii with the upper cross bar 37 and lower cross bar 36 thereby provides means whereby the upper structure of the device can be swung to a rearward and generally horizontal position such as indicated in Figures 5 and 7.

The function of the device shown in Figures 5 through 8 is essentially the same as that shown in Figures l through 3, but in the second embodiment it will be seen that the braces ll provide more or less of an enclosure for the hinged vertical members 28 and 32 and thereby produce an article which is very neat in `appearance when the device is in the full line positions of Figures 5 through 7. Y

It will, of course, be understood that various changes Ymay be made in the form, details, ar-

` connecting bar extending between the lower portions of said arms, said arms and said bar coperating to form a bumper guard extending below said bumper, a second set of spaced arms each havingone of their ends pivotally connected to the upper portion of one arm of said rst mentioned set of arms so as to be capable of swinging rearwardly from a vertical to a horizontal position, a yoke bar transversely connecting the other ends of said second set of arms, said ends and said yoke bar extending substantially above said bumper and' co-operating to form a bumper guard above said bumper when in verticalV position, means carried by the central portion of said yoke bar, for'hitching a trailer thereto whenV said yoke bar Yis swung to a horizontal position, and connection means between said second set of arms including vasupport for holding said second set oi arms in their rearwardly disposed position.

2. A folding hitch for use on the bumper of a mtor vehicle comprising a set of spaced vertical arms extending substantially below said bumper and having their upper portions rigidly fxed tothe longitudinally medial portion of the outer side of said bumper, a connecting bar extending lbetween the lower portions of said arms, said arms and said bar co-operating toform a bumper guard extending4 below said bumper, a second set of spaced arms each having one of their ends pivotally connected to the upper portion of one arm of said irstA mentioned `set of arms so as tobe capable of'swingingsrearwardly rom'a vertical to a horizontal position, a yoke bar transversely connecting the other ends of i 'f' said second set of arms, said ends and said yoke bar extending substantiallyV above said' bumper and co-operating to form a bumper guard above said bumper when in vertical position, means carried by the central portion of said yoke bar for hitchin'g a trailer thereto when said yoke bar is swung to a horizontal position, mechanism for holding said second set of arms in a vertical position, and connection means between said second set ofiarms including a support' for holding said second set'of arms in their rearwardly disposed position.

' 'LYNN J. MORAST.

REFERENCES einen l The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED sTATEs PAINTS 

